The Toronto Blue Jays are down, but not out.
On Friday night, Toronto dropped what once seemed like a winnable game, falling 6-2 to the Seattle Mariners in Game 5 of the American League Championship Series. With the loss, the Blue Jays now face elimination, trailing the series 3-2 with two games left to play.
After taking a 2-1 lead in the sixth inning, Toronto appeared in control until the eighth. A solo home run from Cal Raleigh tied the game at 2-all. Two walks and a hit batter later, the bases were loaded. Eugenio Suárez then capitalized, driving a fastball from Seranthony Domínguez over the right-field wall for a grand slam that gave Seattle a four-run lead heading into the ninth. The Mariners held on to win by that same score.
If there’s any consolation for Toronto, the series now shifts back to Rogers Centre for Game 6 — and, if necessary, Game 7.
Blue Jays manager John Schneider made it clear his team isn’t done yet.
“I don’t want these guys to crawl into a hole; that’s not who we are,” Schneider said. “We’ll get after it on Sunday. We’ll be ready to play. I wouldn’t have it any other way with this group.”
Toronto has battled adversity all season, surviving one of baseball’s toughest divisions to win the AL East crown and claim the American League’s top seed.
Rookie right-hander Trey Yesavage is scheduled to start Game 6 for Toronto, while Seattle has yet to announce its starter. A Blue Jays win would force a decisive Game 7 on Monday.